Amusement device



,131 LARSON AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Nov. 30, 1925 2 Sheets-g 1 fizz/6 7K 7 ZZEZ [242M07 68% WTM Feb. 7, 1928. 1 1,658,131

A. F. LARSON AMUSEMENT DEVICE 1 Filed Nov. 30, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

' warren srATss PATENT OFFICE.

AXEL F. LARSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO W'ESTERN ELECTRIC PIANO COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application filed November 30, 1925. Serial No. 72,080.

The present invention relates to amusenlent devices, and has particular reference to amusement devices adapted for association with a player piano or other mechanically operated musical instrument.

This amusement device is coin-controlled to operate in conjunction with the player piano, the dropping of tie coin operating the player piano and also operating the amusement devic.. During the playing of any selection or selections by the player piano, the amusement device can be operated repeatedly any number of times by the drop ping of successive coins. Thus, this amusement device serves to promote the use of the player piano and to increase the revenue derived from the entire machine.

In its preferred embodiment, the present amusement device represents or simulates a horse race, although it will be obvious that it might simulate an automobile race, an aeroplane race, a boxing contest, a game of chance, or a game of skill.

One of the particular objects of the invention is to provide an amusement device of this character which will derive its operating energy from the player piano or other mechanical musical instrument with which it is associated. Another object is to provide such a power operated amusement device which will be coin-controlled in operation.

Another object is to so associate the amusement device with the player piano the dropping of a coin for operation of the amusement device will be effective to start the player piano, and vice versa.

Another object is to provide an amusement device of this type which can be operated repeatedly by the dropping of succefmve coins durr the playing of the player piano.

Another object is to provide an improved arrangement of impulse mechanism or onecycle stop mechanism which will transmit a brief operating impulse to the amusement device.

F'fl advantages will be apllowing detailed descrip- Figure 1 is a front clevational view of a tvpical p121 er piano emboc ymg my invention.

Figure 2 is an interior view of the player piano showing the relation of the parts which co-act in the operation of the amusement device. I

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the inertia wheels for the amusement device, illustrating its ratchet drive from the operating shaft.

Figure 4; is a longitudinal sectional View through the two flywheels or inertia devices for operating the amusement device.

Figure 5 is a sectional View through the primary valve constituting part of the onecycle stop mechanism, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view through the venting valve which controls the foregoing primary valve.

Figure 1 illustrates a typical coin-controlled player piano in which my invention is embodied. In the upper part of this instrument is provided a show space 11, closed at the front by a glass window 12. In this show space is mounted the amusement device, broadly indicated at 14. IVhere this amusement device is to simulate a horse race, the background of this show space is preferably illustrated to portray a race track scene. In the foreground, a plurality of racing horses 1515 are mounted in inner and outer groups, moving in circular paths. In the operation of this amusement device, these two sets of horses are given a spinning motion, and after both sets have come to rest, the horse finishing with its nose closest to the finishing post 16 is considered as having won the race.

Referring now to the operating mechanism for this amusement device, the player piano is of any conventional coin-controlled type, these pianos generally employing an electric motor for their source of power, which electric motor drives the suction bellows or pump and also drives the music sheet in its travel across the tracker bar. This general construction of coin-controlled player piano being old and well known, I

have only shown so much thereof as has cooperation with the present amusement device.

The player is set into operation. by the insertion of the appropriate coin in the coin slot 18 (Figure 1), which coin slot communicates with a downwardly extending coin chute 19 (Figure 2). This coin chute ing of'the desired selection successive coins can be dropped through the coin chute with outafiecting this switch or the playing of this desired selection;

Referring to Figure 2, a power driven shaft is indicated at 23, this shaft receiving power from the electric motor (not shown) through a driving train in the lower partof the'i'nstrument. Part of this driving train is represented by the chain 24 which passes up over the sprocket wheel 25 on the shaft 23. This shaft is representative of'any suitable driving element from which power may be transmitted t'o-the present amusement -de vice. In the particular instance shown, this shaft-drives the rolls in the tracker box 26, such shaft being a-preferred point of power take-off for the amusement device because this shaft always rotates in the same directionand has substantially the desired speed for transmission to the amusement device.

The tracker 110x726 comprises the usual pair of music sheet 'rolls, the tracker bar, and.

clutch and gear mechanism for reversing the rolls,'none of which parts are shown as they constitute" no part of the present invention.

Referring now to the "transmission mechl anism for transmitting power from the shaft- 23 to theamusement device 14, a grooved pulley 27 is rotatably supported on the shaft 23,this pulley receiving a belt 28. This belt passes up over a second grooved-pulley 29 on an upper shaft 31" which drives the I amusement device through mechanism which I shall presently describe. The hub of the lower pulley 27 is] held against shifting movement on a shaft 23 byfcollars 33, the shaft normally rotating idly in the hub of the pulley '27. When power is to be transmitted'to the amusement device the pulley 27 isclutched to the shaft 23 through a suitable clutcln'preferably comprising a clutch co'll'ar- 34'splined for sliding movement on thejsha-ft 23. This clutch collar has a clutch pin 35projecting from one side thereof for engagement with a similar clutch pin 36 projecting from the adjacent side of the arranged I to be shifted into and out of clutching posi-- tion through the motion of an oscillating leverj37 which has a pin 38 engaging in an annular groove in the clutch collar; The lever or arm 37 1s pivoted through a p vot pin 39 at its lower end to a bracket arm 41 which is rigidly securedto the side of the instrument case.

The clutch operating lever 37 has a latching pin 42 adjacent its upper end with which driving energy is'transmit-ted to the pulley 27. 7 When the latch is tripped, a spring 48 pulls theoperating lever 37 to the right and.

brings the clutch elements into engagement, thereby transmitting driving energy to the pulley 2'7 and thence up to the amusement device.

The tripping of the latch 43 is performed by the coin falling through the coin chute 19. The right'hand end of the latch lever 43' projects through the slot 49 in the coin chute, whereby it lies directly in the path of the descending coin falling through the coin chute. The tripping of the latch 43 permits therein to continue in its flight down to the motor switch 21. V

As soon as the latch 43 is tripped, a driving'relation isestablished between the shaft 23 and the amusement device 14, which driving relation is only maintained for a brief interval sufficient to give the necessary operatmg impulse tot-he amusement device. The

driving relation is interrupted through the operation of automatic mechanism operating similarly to momentary impulse mechanism, or a one-cycle stop mechanism, which mechanism I shall presently describe.

The rotation imparted to the shaft 31 is transmitted through bevel gears 51 to a vertical shaft 52 which extends up through the shelf or floor 53 defining the bottom of the show space 11. This vertical shaft is journaled in a bearing frame 54 mounted on a lower shelf 55, and in this bearing frame the adjacent end of the horizontal shaft 31 also hasbearing support; the opposite end of the shaft 31 having suitable bearing support at the wide wall of the instrument case. Referring to Figure 4, a flywheel .57 is journaled for free spinning motion on the shaft 52 directly above the bearing frame 54 and below the shelf 53. Pinned to the shaft 52 above this flywheel 57 is a ratchet collar 59. Resting on this lower ratchet collar and journaled for free spinning motion on the shaft-'52 is an upper flywheel 58. Above this upper flywheel a second ratchet collar 60 is also pinned to theshaft '52. As shown in Figure 3, each of the flywheels 5'7 and 58 has a pawl 62 pivotally mounted thereon. A spring '63 normally tends to hold the nose of the pawl in the teeth 64 of the respective ratchet collar.

- Extending radially from each of the flywheels 57-58 at equidistant points around its circumference, are a plurality of wires or lll) rods 66-67. The outer ends of these Wires are turned upwardly for supporting the miniature horses 15-15 at their upper ends. The upwardly extending ends of the wires 6? lie inside of the upwardly extending ends of the wires 66, the upwardly extending ends (if both sets of wires passing up through a single circular slot 68 in the shelf 53. Above the shelf, these wires are separated laterally to support their respective horses in two concentric rings spaced slightly one from the other. The central portion of the shelf 53 lying within the circular slot 68 is supported by a wire frame comprising hoops 71 which are secured at their outer ends to that portion of the shelf lying outside of the slot and at their inner ends to the central portion of the shelf lying within the slot. The central shaft 52 may be extended up to assist in supporting this frame of'hoops 71. It will be apparent from the foregoing that the rotation of the shaft 81 will setthe flywheels 57 and 58 to spinning, and that after the shaft 31 has ceased rotating these flywheels will continue their rotation for a short period by virtue of their overrunning clutch or ratchet drive. It requires only a short operating impulse to set up sufficient momentum in these flywheelsfor the proper operation of the amusement device. I have found that approximately one complete revolution of the shaft 31 is sufiicient to give these flywheels their necessary inertia.

I shall now describe the impulse mechanism or the one-cycle stop mechanism for interrupting the drive to the shaft 31 after the shaft has made substantially one complete revolution. Mounted on the shaft 31 is collar 74 from which projects a pin 75 (F ure 6). after the shaft has made approximately a complete revolution this pin strikes the end of aleaf spring or flap .76 which constitutes the movable elementof a venting valve The striking of the pin 7 5 against the leaf spring 7 6 opens to atmosphere a duct 78 which is normally closed by a valve disc 7 9 on the leaf spring '76. This duct 78 connects through a conduit 81 with a typical primary valve 82. As shown in Figure 5, this duct 81 opens into a dia. phragm chamber 83 closed on its upper side by flexible diaphragm 84. During the operation of the player piano suction is maintained in a chamber 85 on the upper side of this diaphragm 84, this suction being transmitted through a conduit 86 leading to the feeder bellows or to any suitable source of suction in the instrument. A bleed hole 87 leads from the suction chamber 85 to the duct 81 for normally maintaining suction on the under side of the diaphragm 84-. A stem 88 extends upwardly from the diaphragm and serves to actuate valve discs 89 and 90 relative to the suction and atmospheric ports 91. and 92. These valve discsand their associated ports control the application of sum tion or atmosphere to a. chamber 93 from which leads a conduit 94-. Vfith the diaphragm in itslower flexed position atmosphere is admitted to the chamber 93 and conduit 94 through a port 92. lVith the diaphragm flexed upwardly suction is transmitted to the chamber 93 and conduit 94; through the port 91.

The conduit 9% leads to bellows 95 or other suction responsive device, the movable element of which has a lost motion connection with a restorin rod 96. This restoring rod has pivotal connection at 97 with the upper end of the clutch operating arm 37. The lost motion connec ion between the bellows 95 and rod 96 permits the tripping of the clutch operating arm 37 and the engagement of the clu ch without interference from the bello s. lVhen the bellows is collapsed, however, by the transmission of suction from the primary,- valve- 82, this lost motion connection retracts the clutch operating arm 37 disengaging the clutch. and relatching the arm with the latch 48.

In the operation of the device the dropping of the first coin through the coin chute 19 will trip the latch 13, establish driving relation between the shafts 23 and and close the motor switch 21 to energize the motor of the player piano. The player piano wil begin operation playing its selected l s and the shaft 31 will be retated to impart stimulus to the amusement device 14. After predetermined movement of the shaft 81 the primary valve 82 will be vented through the duct 81. whereupon the bellows 95 will be collapsed and the clutch operating lever 87 restored t normal posi tion. disengaging the clutch 86-37.- Thereafter, the player piano will continue play g its selected tune, or any d es a number of tunes (through the proper setti g; of control mechanism usually provir ed this purpose) and the amusement device 1 1 can be operated any number of times during this continued playing of the piano by the dropping of successive coins through the coin chute 19.

Ido not intend to be limited to the pa ticular details herein shown and describe except as they are described in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a mechanical musical instrument a coin chute, latching means released by the dropping of a coin in said chute for controlling the operation of instrument. a. moving element actuated in the playing of said instrument. an amusement device, transmission mechanism for operatively connecting said moving element to said amusement device resilient means to actuate said transmission mechanism when the same is released by said latching means, anl suction means for'relatchingrsaid transmission mechanism 'i n inoperative position after a; prede termined period of-op'eration.

2: In a mechanical: musical instrument, a coin chute, latching means released by the droppinghot a coin in said chute ifor controlling: the operation of: said instrument, a moving element actuated in the playing of said instrument, an amusement device-,transmission mechanism for operatively connecting. said moving element to said amusement- 3. In a mechanical musical instrument, af

coin chute,latching means released by the dropping of a coin in said chute for controlling theoperation of said instrument, a moving element actuated in the playing of said instrument, an amusement device, transmission mechanism foroperatively connect ing said moving element to said amusement device, resilient means toactuate said transmission mechanism when the same is released by said latching means, a source of suction, suction meansfor returning said transmission mechanism toinoperative positiom. and a suctioncont-rolling device actuated after a predetermined impulse has been given to said: amusement device; 7

l. In a mechancal musical instrument, a coin chute, means responsive to the drop ping of a coin in said: chute for controlling the operation of said instrument, a moving element actuated in the playing ofsaidin? strument, an amusement device, and transmission mechanism for operatively connecting said moving element to" said amusement device, said transmission mechanism being controlled by the'pa-ssage: of coins through said coin chute. V v is r '5.VIn a player piano comprising a source of power and a. moving element actuated thereby in the playing of the piano, a coin chute, a motor switch responsive tothe dropping of a coin in said chute, an amusement device, transmission mechanism for operatively connecting said moving element to said amusementdevice, means responsive to the passage of coinsthrough said coin chutefor rendering said transmission mechanism operative, and automatic means for rendering said transmission mechanism inoperative after a predetermined period of opera.- tion. V

6. In a player piano, the combination of a moving element actuated in: the playing of the piano, a plurality of miniature horses associated with said player piano' to simulate a horse race, transmission mechanism for imparting motion from said moving element to said horses, said, transmission mechanism comprising a. clutch, a coin chute, a latch responsive toi thepassag'e'ot': coins through said chute for permitting engagement of said clutch, a pneumatic l'or disengaging said clutch-',. a primary valve controlling said pneumatic,- and means responsive to predetermined operation 1 ofsaidtransmission mechanism for venting said primaryvalve.vv '1' In aplayer piano, the combination ota shaft driven from the electric motor 0t said piano, a show space associated with said piano, a plurality of miniature horses mountedfor rotaing'movement in said show space to simulate a horse race, a second shat-t for rotating said horses, transmission mechanism for operatively connecting said shafts and comprising a clutch on one of said shafts, spring means tendingto engage said clutch, a latch normally holding said: clutch in disengaged condition, a coin chute, said latch being responsive. to the passage of coins through said chute, apneumatic connected to disengage said clutch, a primary valve controlling said pneumatic, and a venting valve tor venting atmosphere to said primary valve after one of said shafts has rotated through a predetermined, degree.

7 8; In a vplayer iano, the combination of a trackerbox, a siai't extending from said tracker box adapted to be operatively con nected to themusic sheet rolls therein, a second shaft, power transmission'means between said shatts, a clutch on said first shaft tor connecting said powertransmission means thereto, a clutch operating arm,

spring" means tending to engage said clutch,

a latch effective .to holdsaid clutch operat ing arm with said clutch in disengaged .position', a coin chute, said latch being 'respon sive to the passage of coins-through. said chute, inner and outer groups of miniature horses. mounted for rotating, movement in concentric circles, Vfiywheels connected to. each; group of horses, means for transmitting motion from said second shaft to said flywheels comprising overrunning ratchet mechanism, a pneumatic having a'lost mot on connection with: said clutch operating arm to disengage said clutch when said pneumaticis collapsed,a primary valve controlling the application: of suction to said pneumatic, and a venting valve arranged to be opened when said second shaft has completed approximately one revolution to vent: atmosphere to the diaphragm of said primary valve. V i

9. Ina mechanical musical instrument, a coin chute, means responsive to the dropping of a coin in said chute for controlling the operation of; said. instrument, a moving. ele ment actuated in the 1 playing of said instrument, an amusement device comprising moving figures simulating a race, and transmission mechanism for operatively connecting said moving element to said amusement device, said transmission mechanism being controlled by the placing of coins in said chute.

10. In a mechanical musical instrument, a coin chute, means responsive to the dropping of a coin in said chute for controlling the operation of said instrument, a moving element actuated in the playing of said instru- 10 ment, an amusement device comprising concentrically moving miniature figures simu lating a race, and transmission mechanism for operatively connecting said moving element to said amusement device, said transmission mechanism being controlled by the placing of coins in said chute.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 23rd day of November, 1925 AXEL F. LARSON. 

